East Indian in Virgin Islands (U.S.)

East Indian
Photo Source:  RVA - Pixabay 
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People Name: East Indian
Country: Virgin Islands (U.S.)
10/40 Window: No
Population: 700
World Population: 113,700
Primary Language: Hindi
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 15.00 %
Evangelicals: 1.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Afro-American, Northern
Affinity Bloc: North American Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

In the mid 1800s, European powers were abolishing the African slave trade. This left a need for cheap laborers. The plantation owners managed to fill this void by attracting East Indians to come as indentured laborers. Most left the US Virgin Islands after seven years, but a small number remained.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Though they are small in number, the East Indians in the US Virgin Islands have kept Hindi as their heart language, but they have lost their South Asian culture in other ways. However, they still have South Asian eating habits.
They dominate the small business sector of the economy and some own department stores.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most are Hindu though there is a Christian presence among them.

What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples of the world, the East Indians in the Virgin Islands need to put Jesus first in their lives.

Prayer Points

Pray for East Indian disciplers to make more disciples in the Virgin Islands.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead them to the cross.
Pray for Christ followers among the East Indians in the US Virgin Islands to take Christ to their Hindu neighbors.

Text Source:   Joshua Project